WWE Smackdown TV Report
September 4, 2009
Taped Sept. 1 in Cleveland, Ohio
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The WWE show started with a lengthy music video package on Jeff Hardy with career highlights after his farewell on last week's show. Lots of kids crying to convey the emotions. Suddenly, all the good times came to an end with C.M. Punk smashing Hardy in the head at the end of Smackdown seven days ago. Heat transferred.

Arena: To start the show, Jeff Hardy's music hit and the kids went nuts. Poor kids with their hopes dashed as it was C.M. Punk dressed in the Hardy gear. Looked like Shaggy 2 Dope from ICP. One kid was totally not amused by this. Punk took the mic and told the audience to soak up this Jeff Hardy look while they can. Last time ever on Smackdown. He pulled out the Hardy towel and wiped off the "ridiculous" facepaint. He took off the Hardy arm sleeves and said there's no more Charismatic Enabler. That's a good heel line. Punk then took his World Hvt. Title belt and said everyone can be proud of this straight-edge champion. Punk channeling Jimmy Jacobs that he won't let the audience fall into a downward spiral. Punks said he won't be the type of icon who misses WrestleMania because he failed a drug test or misses a show because he was sent home from the airport.

Punk turned his attention to Undertaker, telling him to come test his...breaking point. Punk mocked the Taker Magic Show and said he knows Taker is here right now. Punk cockily waited out the "Taker, Taker" chants and told him to come face him man-to-man. Punk checked his imaginary clock and said Taker is content just playing his psychological games. He uses smoke and mirrors to fool the audience. Punk said his mind is clear and not corrupted by cigarettes and alcohol. Punk said he can't wait for Breaking Point when it's two icons in the ring together. Punk said he has no breaking point and he has laughed in the face of temptation time and time again. He said he's never tapped out to society's attempts at peer pressure.

Punk said society tries to hypnotize people with commercials putting alcohol in people's hands. WWE must be upset beer companies won't sponsor WWE...or Punk is channeling his inner Brock Lesnar anti-Bud Light. But, the point is true and valid no matter the ulterior motive. Punk continued for a bit before Matt Hardy's music interrupted to a major pop. Hardy took off his shirt on stage with a stone-faced look. Meanwhile, Punk just smiled and smirked in the ring. Hardy then stormed the ring and attacked Punk. They had a mid-ring brawl with a hot crowd behind them. Refs then stormed the ring to engage a pullapart brawl. JC: Punk continues to shine as the top heel on Smackdown. Another great promo inciting the crowd to build heat for any babyface to come through the curtain and oppose Punk. The only drawback remains how heavy-handed the message is considering the young audience WWE targets.

Tonight: The Undertaker returns.

[Commercial Break. On cue - an anti-tobacco "truth" commercial.]

[Q2]

Graphic: Todd Grisham did a quick voice-over saying Rey Mysterio has accepted an impromptu challenge from John Morrison for the IC Title. The quick note was that Rey takes on all challengers.

Backstage: C.M. Punk tracked down Teddy Long to complain about Matt interrupting his ring time. He said Matt is probably high on the same stuff his brother's on. Teddy said they need to settle it in the ring. Punk wanted to make sure it wasn't for the title and Teddy agreed before booking Punk vs. Hardy for tonight. Punk vowed to get rid of the other Hardy tonight.

In-ring: Great Khali came to the ring as they replayed last week's shenanigans between Khali and Kane. Little brother Runjin Sideburns Singh danced along with Khali as they watched a replay on the screen. Ross and Grisham then announced a Singapore Cane match between Kane and Khali at the Breaking Point PPV. Um...that's not a submission match. WWE really stretching the All-Submissions format for this PPV. Finlay came out as Khali's partner. Mike Knox then slowly came out with a very heelish gait. Had sort of a Chris Jericho slight head-bob/shoulder shrug going. Inset promo: Knox gave us an anatomy lesson again. He had his hair pulled back or black light over his head making him look bald. Nice look to fit his character. Kane then came out to round out the field for this tag match.

1 -- FINLAY & GREAT KHALI (w/Runjin Singh) vs. MIKE KNOX & KANE

Typical start where the heel (Kane) kept running away from the babyface (Khali) to avoid contact. Khali turned his attention to Knox for the Vice Grip, but Kane dragged Knox to the floor for the heels to regroup.

[Commercial Break]

Khali got his hands on Kane during the break and worked him over before Knox came in and took a frying pan-like chop to the chest. Ross said Khali's offense isn't pretty, but it's effective. Finlay tagged in and went to the second rope to nail Knox with aerial offense, but Kane shoved him right off the turnbuckle to the floor. Finlay sold an arm injury and Knox went right to work on the injured limb back in the ring. Ross called it "joint manipulation." Finlay came up bleeding from the mouth, then the action broke down. In the chaos, Finlay blasted Knox with the shillelagh while the ref was distracted by Kane and Khali brawling on the floor. Finlay with the pin on Knox for the win.

WINNERS: Finlay & Khali in 10:00. Fine tag match continuing the Knox-Finlay feud and building up a PPV match. (*1/2)

[Q3]

Backstage: Teddy Long was watching the WCW DVD instead of the Smackdown show. Vince McMahon stormed in wearing a crazy ugly pink jacket. He reprimanded Long for his thoughts on the DVD. McMahon then congratulated Teddy on his booking last week. Hardy's gone. "Good stuff," McMahon said with a slap on the chest. McMahon complemented him on Punk vs. Taker at Breaking Point. Another chummy slap on the chest. McMahon asked Long if he thinks this jacket looks like Pepto Bismol. Long said he's not saying that all. Long said he would be honored to wear that jacket. He's also lucky to be working for him. McMahon appreciated his inner circle kissing up to him, then he walked off.

Later: Punk vs. Hardy in the main event. Taker returns to Smackdown.

[Commercial Break]

Arena: They showed an exterior shot of The Q in Cleveland. Grisham made sure everyone knew Cleveland hasn't had a championship since 1964. Ross quipped it won't happen in baseball this year. Grisham said perhaps next season with LeBron James. And they missed an opportunity to name-drop Shaq right there.

Backstage: Maria was fixing herself in the mirror while talking to Eve. Women's champion Michelle McCool then entered the make-up area to talk smack while on crutches. Melina then stepped up to McCool and let her know she's going after the title belt. Once McCool left, Melina asked Maria what's up with her hanging around with Dolph Ziggler. She said she's concerned about Maria falling for a bad boy like Dolph. Maria's ears were closed to any of that talk.

In-ring: John Morrison came out first for the impromptu, unadvertised IC Title match. Ross and Grisham were shown on-camera talking about Morrison finally getting a big prime time title shot opportunity. Grisham said it will be a five-star, high-voltage match. Please, not a reminder of the High Voltage team from the WCW Saturday Night era. Rey Mysterio then came out as Grisham talked about Rey being an example of a fighting champion by putting his title on the line nine days before facing Dolph Ziggler at Breaking Point. No digs at Rey yet.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

2 -- IC champion REY MYSTERIO vs. JOHN MORRISON -- Intercontinental Title match

They came back from break and the bell sounded. Grisham said winner faces Ziggler at Breaking Point. They went into an early feeling-out process as the fans chanted, "Let's go Morrison." Ross told us about the history of the belt as the wrestlers teased some early flashy moves before Morrison settled things down with a headlock to ground Rey on the mat. They cut to a shot of Dolph watching the match intently backstage. Back to the ring where acrobatics ensued followed by two quick one-counts for each man. Tension was high as they had an early stand-off mid-ring. Ref separated them to let them settle down before WWE cut to commercial. Very nice three-minute feeling-out process.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Morrison shoved Rey into the ringpost. Suddenly, Rey came back with a faster-than-the-eye flip-over head scissors taking both men to the floor. Both men made it back into the ring at nine, drawing shrieks from the kids in attendance. Rey then ran shoulder-first into the corner ringpost and ate steel. Morrison tried to capitalize with a pin, but Rey kicked out. Rey then countered a whip to the ropes into a multiple-revolutions whirl around Morrison's body into a takedown for a two count. Replays couldn't even do that justice. Rey was favoring the knee that got him into trouble to begin with. Rey then took his time working over Morrison with kick strikes and leg drops.

Cut to another shot of Dolph Ziggler as Rey settled into a chinlock at 11:00. Grisham referenced Morrison have two previous IC Title reigns. Seems like forever ago as it was 2006 and Morrison was just Johnny Nitro at the time. Morrison then came back with a full comeback of leg attacks before nailing a standing Shooting Star Press for a two count that the crowd bought into. Morrison suddenly threw Rey across the mat and straight down to the floor below. Rug burn city. Morrison then picked up Rey and rolled him back into the ring to make a cover for a two count.

[Q5 -- second hour]

Pace quickened at 15:00 with both men teasing offensive momentum. They built and built and built before running into each other mid-ring to send both men collapsing to the mat. Crowd came down from its high as the camera pulled back to set the scene for the final act after the break. Another very nice sequence.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Morrison had Rey in a body scissors on the mat. Crowd rallied behind Rey, who escaped and kicked Morrison hard in the chest. He then tossed Morrison over the top rope, but Morrison held onto the top rope so Rey kicked him off the apron to the floor. Rey then tossed Morrison back into the ring, which the announcers pointed out shows how much respect Rey has for the belt by not taking an easy way out to retain tonight. Nice enhancement of the title. Back to action where Morrison regained control and creamed Rey with a running strike right to the face for a close two count.

At 22:00, Morrison went into Jim Duggan two-point stance to charge Rey, but Rey avoided and caught Morrison with a dropkick to the chest for a two count. Ross said the prestige and financial reward for becoming IC champ is driving them to continue at a high rate. Ross in his element calling a match of his caliber. Rey then slowly made his way up top for a splash, but Morrison countered mid-air with a dropkick, but it was only good for another close nearfall. Morrison then wanted the Starship Pain in the corner, but Rey moved. Rey then hit a springboard seated sentaun and set up Morrison for the 619. Rey dialed it up and connected. He then went to the apron for his finisher, but Morrison ducked and caught Rey square in the face with a springboard flying chuck kick. And the result? Another close nearfall. Very nice sequence again. Fans chanting, "This is Awesome." Quite the rarity on a WWE show.

[Q6]

Morrison paused at 25:00, then attacked Rey's back with a backbreaker. He then went up top for another Starship Pain attempt, but Rey blocked. Rey tried to follow up with a reverse huricanrana, but Morrison held onto the corner turnbuckles and Rey crashed down to the mat in the corner. Morrison then followed right up with the Starship Pain on his third attempt for the pin and the win to capture the IC Title. Whew. Deep breath.

Post-match: Crowd applauded both men as Morrison celebrated with the title belt. Morrison then extended his hand to Rey and hugged him mid-ring. Morrison sold some emotion as Rey gasped for air. Morrison got his shine holding up the title belt as the announcers plugged Morrison vs. Ziggler at the Breaking Point PPV.

WINNER: John Morrison in 26:00 to capture the Intercontinental Title. Wow. Felt like I was watching Undertaker vs. HBK all over again with the multiple legit nearfalls, the counters, the use and teasing of trademark finishes to build crowd anticipation, and all of the elements of an amazing pro wrestling match. Crowd was also red-hot from start to finish just like HBK vs. Taker. Grisham wasn't kidding when he said before the match this would be a five-star-caliber match. I think what also made this that close to a five-star level was the emphasis on the title belt at stake. The little things like Rey rolling Morrison back into the ring instead of taking an easy way out to win, plus Jim Ross's commentary on this being a fight for money, prestige, higher place on the card, etc. Rey went out in style before taking his suspension. (****3/4)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: R-Truth came out for the popcorn segment following that amazing match. He finished his rap, made it to the ring, but was then jumped by Drew McIntyre. Drew said he was over-looked last week, but now he's here to make a statement out of his dancing fool. Drew said Truth has a match tonight and he's not even on the show? He said he's not going to stand for that and ruin everyone's party until people recognize him for the superstar he is. Nice intro for Drew that the crowd sounds as if they're buying into on week two. Drew sternly walked off before another Taker video plug aired.

[Commercial Break]

[Q7]

3 -- MARIA & EVE vs. NATALYA & LAYLA

Your basic divas match with Natalya and Layla cutting off Maria's offensive attacks throughout the match. Natalya did most of the attack. After chaos broke out, the finish led to Eve scoring the pin on Layla. Babyfaces win to give the fans a feel-good moment. Meanwhile, Natalya keeps her credibility for bigger and better things by not taking the fall.

WINNERS: Maria and Eve in 5:00. Okay divas match. Positioned as a filler match in-between the two main-event singles match, which isn't a bad place to be. Can't complain about TV time in the second hour of a hot show. (3/4*)

Backstage: Josh Mathews brought in Matt Hardy for an interview on tonight's main event. Hardy slowly thought about fighting for Jeff's honor against Punk. He was staring off camera in deep thought while talking to sell the importance of this to his character.

[Commercial Break]

Video: Another plug for The Undertaker. They talked up The Streak of WrestleMania victories. He returns tonight. Eventually. At some point. Stay tuned.

In-ring: C.M. Punk sans Jeff Hardy make-up came out first for the TV main event. Lots of upset kids in the crowd not happy seeing Punk back out here. Punk played up the heel reaction, then Matt Hardy slowly came to the ring in his old-school coat. Bell sounded 19 minutes before the top of the hour.

4 -- World Hvt. champion C.M. PUNK vs. MATT HARDY -- non-title match

Punk slipped to the outside early on to avoid Hardy and slow him down, but Hardy took control once Punk returned to the ring. Announcers, that being Ross and Grisham, discussed Hardy's intestines exploding that put him on the sidelines recently. Ross said he's been medically cleared to compete again. Punk began an offensive attack after weathering Hardy's early storm as Ross and Grisham re-visited the Morrison-Rey match to congratulate them on the match. Ross then plugged Punk's submission moves, including the anaconda vice, to talk about Punk's strategy against Taker at Breaking Point in their submissions match. Just before the break, Punk knocked Hardy to retain control of the match.

[Commercial Break]

[Q8]

Back from break, Punk had Hardy in an abdominal stretch center ring. Hardy sold the effects as the announcers talked about Punk targeting the surgically repaired abdomen. Very smart work from Punk, who was working the healthy (left) side of Hardy's stomach to protect the injured side. (The image of Hardy's intestines sticking through the right side of his stomach is burned in my memory forever.) Punk kept smiling as he kept working over Hardy's injury area. Crowd not quite emotionally involved in the match with the advertised Taker appearance lingering over the match.

At 12:00, Punk re-applied an abdominal stretch and the crowd rallied with a "Hardy, Hardy" chant. Hardy broke free, but Punk smashed him in the gut again and whipped him to the corner. Punk missed with a running shoulder tackle and Hardy capitalized with a running clothesline into a running bulldog. Hardy sold an injury to the surgically-repaired right side of his stomach, then he went up top for an axehandle smash. Two count only. Hardy called for the Twist of Fate, but Punk blocked. Hardy then countered a backslide into an inside cradle for a very close two count. Punk then followed with a kick strike to the face, but Hardy kicked out just before a very slow two count.

At 15:00, Punk went for a springboard clothesline, but Hardy ducked and hit the side effect for a two count. Hardy gasped for air, then knocked Punk to the outside. Hardy tried to run off the apron with a clothesline, but Punk kicked him in the gut mid-air. Punk then launched Hardy across the guardrail and grabbed a chair. Punk then jabbed Hardy in the gut with the chair, then another chair shot to the back. No official word on a DQ, but we'll assume as such.

Post-match: Fans ringside were buying into the cheap finish by yelling at Punk, who just smiled a big heel smile. Punk then put Hardy's head inside the chair, but the lights went down and the bell tolled. Suddenly, there was Taker standing a few feet away from Punk. Punk freaked out, then ran right into Taker, who grabbed him around the throat and chokeslammed him right through the announce table. Announcers went silent as the camera focused on Taker glaring into the crowd, which was hot for Taker's appearance. After replays were shown, Taker stood over Punk's fallen body before his pyro explosion went off. Taker standing tall over Punk to close the show.

WINNER: Hardy via DQ at 17:00. Good TV main event. Hard to follow the Rey-Morrison near-five-star match, but Punk and Hardy had a fundamentally-sound match that held its own in the final segment slot. We assume Hardy will get his conditioning down after getting back in the ring for some more two-segment-length matches. Punk is just so in tune with his character right now. He was born for this role. Taker's appearance one hour and 58 minutes into the show was a bit misleading per the pre-show advertising, but crowd went home happy with Taker putting Punk through the table. Good conclusion to a very good show to keep Taker strong on TV when Punk is expected to find a way to win at the Breaking Point PPV. (**3/4)

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